& AWITH ANDREW
20 REI MAGAZINE JULY
Andrew ’ s career flourished as he climbed the ranks in various hotel groups , including Protea Hotels , Southern Sun Hotel Group , Cresta Hotels , Tsogo Sun Casinos , Supervision Food Services , and The Three Cities Hotel Group . Eventually , he became a Director of Operations , overseeing 31 hotels across Zimbabwe , Botswana , and South Africa . His nineteen years in hospitality offered him a wealth of experiences , from managing game lodges and leisure hotels to interacting with sports stars , comedians , celebrities , and dignitaries , including his personal hero the late Nelson Mandela .
Andrew ’ s transition to real estate began with a brief stint at Sotheby ’ s International Realty Group , which he described as a game-changer . He then joined the eLan Property Group as Sales Manager , later becoming Sales Director . At eLan , he honed his skills in real estate sales , marketing , funding , legalities , and development strategy . His work on the Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito , KZN , a rapid-selling family gated community development with sales of over 2000 stands , was a milestone in his career .
To expand eLan ’ s international reach , Andrew helped launch a Keller Williams Realty franchise in Umhlanga Rocks , Durban , growing the business from zero to 51 agents in 15 months . However , the pivotal moment in his career came with the arrival of eXp Realty in South Africa . As CEO , sole Director , and Principal of eXp Realty South Africa Pty Ltd , Andrew found a model that perfectly matched his vision .
Under Andrew ’ s leadership , eXp Realty South Africa aims to become the largest real estate company on the African continent . He emphasizes a friendly , family-oriented , and agent-centric approach , supported by a dynamic leadership team . His leadership philosophy focuses on visibility , solutionoriented thinking , positivity , and leveraging excellent technology and communication tools to support his team .
Andrew Thompson ’ s journey from hospitality to real estate exemplifies his dedication to innovation , growth , and creating wealth for his agents and their families .
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& AWITH ANDREW